The legend of the martyrdom of St. Lawrence seems to hang on one letter of the alphabet; namely, the letter “p.” Most written accounts of his martyrdom state in Latin: “Passus est,” which is translated “He suffered.” However the inscription on the wall over St. Lawrence’s burial site reads, “Assus est,” which would be translated “He roasted.” It really is quite likely that Lawrence was beheaded rather than roasted as this was the common manner of execution for Roman citizens at the time. In fact, Pope Sixtus II and the six other deacons of Rome were beheaded three days earlier on August 7.
Whatever form the martyrdom took really is not of much importance. The veneration of St. Lawrence throughout Rome endures to this day. He is still regarded as one of the patron saints of Rome, and his image is found frequently in the art work that beautifies the churches of Rome and Italy. He has become a favorite precisely because of his generosity to the poor people of Rome.
The readings for the liturgy on the Feast of St. Lawrence focus on his martyrdom. Some Greek men have approached Philip and asked to see Jesus. Jesus answers their request in what seems a very strange and enigmatic manner. He says three things: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” “Whoever loves his life loses it and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be.”
What seems to be an enigma is, however, a very clear answer to their question. They had asked to ‘see’ Jesus, but just to lay one’s eyes on him was not to see him. To see Jesus fully or properly requires that one have an insight and understanding of the inner mind of Christ. So Jesus cannot be ‘seen’ or understood unless one grasps the purpose and meaning of his death and resurrection. In order for it to be fruitful, a grain of wheat has to fall into the ground and effectively be disintegrated so that it will be transformed into a new plant which in time will reproduce itself many times over. This is exactly what Jesus did and what we celebrate in the Eucharist. He surrendered his life through his suffering and death on the cross only to rise again in new life. In dying, he has produce much fruit and shares that fruit, eternal life, with us who believe.
Lawrence, like all the martyrs, truly saw Jesus and understood. So too must we see and understand.
Fr. Lawrence Jagdfeld, O.F.M., Administrator